The effect of the type of colloid on the efficacy of hypertonic saline colloid mixtures in hemorrhagic shock: dextran versus hydroxyethyl starch

Colloids increase and prolong the efficacy of hypertonic saline solutions in hemorrhagic shock. We compared the efficacy of dextran 60 and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 200,000/0.5 at iso-oncotic concentrations of 6.5 or 6% in a 7.5% NaCI solution. Thirty-two rabbits were bled to maintain a mean arterial pressure at 35 mmHg. Twenty-five percent of the shed blood volume was replaced after 40 min by bolus infusion either with hypertonic dextran (HS-DEX) (n = 16) or with hypertonic hydroxyethyl starch (HS-HES) (n = 16). The animals were then observed for a 120-min period. In both groups immediate and complete restoration of cardiovascular function was achieved in up to 30 min and adequate restorat…